An interesting question, and one I must admit I've never ever even thought about!

Like you, I look forward to replies.

I've recently become interested in the support coaches that run with preserved main line steam locomotives and wondered whether anyone here has modelled them in N gauge.

What started me looking into the subject was seeing vehicles such as 99953 (the NRM-owned Mk1 BSK used with Flying Scotsman) and 35457 (the Mk1 BSK commonly associated with Tornado). They add a lot of character and authenticity to a modern preserved steam train, yet they seem to be a relatively uncommon modelling subject.

I've discovered that Railtec produce transfers for some support coach numbers, including 99953.

However, looking at photographs of the prototypes, I'm wondering whether a simple renumbering exercise is enough. Many preservation support coaches appear to have evolved quite a bit from their original BR condition.

From what I've read, Mk1 brake vehicles such as BSKs, BCKs and BGs were originally fitted with the guard's roof periscopes, but a number of preserved examples appear to have had these removed during refurbishment. I've also noticed differences in underframe equipment, ETH connections, warning markings, window treatments and other details. Some vehicles seem to retain a fairly standard appearance, while others have clearly been altered to suit their support-coach role.

For those who have modelled support coaches:

• Which prototype did you choose?
• What modifications did you make beyond numbering and livery?
  
• Did you remove the roof periscopes?
  
• Were any window or underframe alterations needed?
  
• Are there any particularly good photographic references for preservation-era support coaches?
  

I'm also trying to work out the best starting point in N gauge. For 99953 and 35457, I'm currently looking at the Graham Farish range and wondering whether the 374-187E Mk1 BSK would be a better base model than the 374-199 Mk1 BCK. My instinct is that the BSK is the more appropriate starting point given the prototype vehicles, but I'd be interested to hear from anyone who has researched or built either coach.

More generally, I'd love to see photos of any support coach projects, whether for Flying Scotsman, Tornado, Sir Nigel Gresley, Clan Line or any of the other main line steam locomotives. They seem to be a fascinating corner of modern preservation modelling that doesn't get discussed very often.

Thanks in advance. I look forward to seeing what others have done and learning a bit more about how today's support coaches differ from the original Mk1 vehicles they started life as.

Quote from: scottmitchell74 on July 10, 2026, 04:09:19 PM

Quote from: kusojiji on July 10, 2026, 01:43:04 PMI do remember going to see this movie in the 8th grade for a field trip. Strange to go watch a movie in school, but enjoyed it.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNfXkSLJHXo

Love Grease! Me and wifey watched the Sing-along version some years ago when it came to theaters.  We dressed up in period costumes.  Super fun!

You fit in those leathers? haha

Quote from: Moonglum on July 10, 2026, 03:37:31 PMI am surprised that you didn't mention Seawind @kusojiji , another band from Hawaii. I had two of their albums on vinyl but not on CD. The Seawind Horn section popped up on all sorts of albums including Michael Jackson. "Light the Light" is highly recommended, here is a taster...

I like Kalapana.

Tim

I never heard of Seawind for some reason. Going to have to look them up! Thanks!

Got all the heaters on at Chez Bealman at the moment! Air-conditioning on high heat too!

Yeah - my sister lives in Broadway and her local Tesco and Asda had the chillers pack up.
Typical UK, whatever the weather we're just not up to the job. Now it's too hot to run trains on the real thing

Quote from: Newportnobby on July 08, 2026, 06:34:54 PMTesco Extra Leyland- every time we have a heatwave their chiller cabinets pack up so lots of stuff just not available   

It's not the only supermarket like that, my local tescoes were forced by the planning authority to put the radiators in the warehouse yard, which is U shaped and faces south, with predictable results every summer.

Quote from: kusojiji on July 10, 2026, 01:43:04 PMI do remember going to see this movie in the 8th grade for a field trip. Strange to go watch a movie in school, but enjoyed it.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNfXkSLJHXo

Love Grease! Me and wifey watched the Sing-along version some years ago when it came to theaters.  We dressed up in period costumes.  Super fun!

I am surprised that you didn't mention Seawind @kusojiji , another band from Hawaii. I had two of their albums on vinyl but not on CD. The Seawind Horn section popped up on all sorts of albums including Michael Jackson. "Light the Light" is highly recommended, here is a taster...



I like Kalapana.

Tim

Quite how Leeds' Middleton Railway got coal to the Isle of Sodor for use on the Skarloey Railway, or how a wooden bodied coal wagon stayed in use until the 1980s I don't know, but both happened...

Middleton Railway Wagons by bateman_steven, on Flickr

OO9 just for fun, N gauge version will end up running to Warmington On Sea with my Dad's Army wagons.